HARRISON (AP) — Gov. Mike Beebe criticized hypocrites at the dedication of a northern Arkansas water utility, saying that if people opposed federal stimulus money they shouldn't be celebrating the opening of a $72 million facility that will bring reliable water service to 20,000 people.

Beebe dedicated the Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority on Wednesday. He said that with no political plans beyond the governor's office he wasn't concerned about offending people by challenging them to be honest.

"One of things I think all of us abhor is hypocrisy. I can't stand hypocrisy. If you're against something, stand up there and say it," Beebe said. The governor said he wasn't talking about anyone specifically at the dedication.

The Ozark Mountain project was built with $62 million in federal grants and loans made available under President Barack Obama's stimulus package and with $9.2 million in state funds.

The Harrison Daily Times reported (http://bit.ly/1dq8DfD ) that Beebe praised the project because it helped so many people but added that, for the broader 2009 federal package, he would have preferred more spending on roads.

"Yeah, I'd have done things differently with the stimulus," Beebe continued. "I would have spent more on roads . a greater portion on capital projects that put people to work, like this project, and actually benefit people."

But the governor noted that the national economy was a mess in 2009 — "the worst recession of my lifetime" — and that something had to be done.

"I didn't vote for or against any of that stuff, I wasn't up there," he said. "But I would be the biggest hypocrite in the world if I blasted everything they did about stimulus and congratulate one of the stimulus projects to help 20,000 Arkansans and put all those people to work."

"If it wasn't for the stimulus, you wouldn't be getting any of this water," he said.

The project will provide water to portions of Boone, Newton and Searcy counties. Water from Bull Shoals Lake will be distributed via 120 miles of pipeline to 18 rural water associations.